# Bhutan Launches Central Bank with Bitcoin Power

> Bhutan's new central bank can hold Bitcoin from day one, as its sovereign fund sells half its crypto stash.
- Title: Bhutan Launches Central Bank with Bitcoin Power | Shortify
- Summary: Bhutan's new central bank can hold Bitcoin from day one, as its sovereign fund sells half its crypto stash. Bhutan created a central bank allowed to hold…
- Keywords: bhutan, gelephu, gelephu central bank, sovereign bitcoin mining, druk holding, bitcoin holdings, central bank crypto reserves, Startup Fortune
- Source: Startup Fortune — https://startupfortune.com/bhutan-charters-a-new-central-bank-with-the-power-to-hold-bitcoin
- Published: 2026-11-04T03:38:49+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: bhutan, gelephu, gelephu central bank, sovereign bitcoin mining, druk holding, bitcoin holdings, central bank crypto reserves, startups, business
## Bhutan's New Central Bank
Gelephu became the first special zone with a central bank allowed to hold crypto from day one.
## Royal Decree Signed
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck signed a royal decree on November 4 to create the Gelephu Central Bank.
## Central Bank Powers
The new bank gets monetary policy, foreign reserve management, payment oversight, and liquidity support.
## Bitcoin Reserve Mandate
The Gelephu Central Bank is explicitly permitted to hold digital assets alongside gold and foreign currency.
## Sovereign Bitcoin Mining
Bhutan's Druk Holding started mining Bitcoin in 2019 using hydropower and now holds 4,453 BTC.
## Bitcoin Holdings Drop
Druk Holding's Bitcoin stockpile fell 65% from 13,000 BTC to 4,453 BTC since 2024.
## Real Tension
Bhutan created a central bank for Bitcoin while its fund sells off its holdings.
## New Jobs
Over 50 new positions are created for virtual asset supervision and banking operations.
## Key takeaway

Bhutan created a central bank allowed to hold Bitcoin, while its sovereign fund reduced holdings by 65%.